Chrome Remote Desktop makes its way onto Android

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Need to access your Windows desktop while you’re sitting on a bus 3,000 miles away from work? Just launch Chrome, and you’re good to go! Earlier this week, Google released Chrome Remote Desktop for Android, and brought VNC to the masses. This tiny 2.1MB app allows your phone or tablet to connect seamlessly to Chrome on a PC, and completely control your desktop without having to bother setting up your own VNC server. Of course, having remote desktop software built into Google’s Chrome is more than enough to cause privacy advocates to raise an eyebrow, so think it through before you install.

If you’d like to try this out for yourself, head on over to the Google Play store, and download the Chrome Remote Desktop app. As long as you’re running Android 4.0 or above, you should be able to run it on any device you have lying around. Next, simply install the Chrome Remote Desktop app inside of Chrome, and follow the on-screen configuration instructions. From then on, you can remotely access your desktop on your Android device without having to manually find and enter your network information.

Of course, Chrome Remote Desktop has been around for years now. The stable version was first released back in October 2012, and it has continually seen updates in Google’s Chrome Web Store. Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and even Chromebooks have been able to use this remote desktop functionality for a while now, but this week’s addition of Android phones and tablets makes this feature much more noteworthy.

If you’re concerned even slightly about online privacy and security, you might want to think twice before installing this app, though. Your traffic is sent over SSL, and Google vehemently claims that “none of your session data is ever recorded,” but that’s no guarantee of your safety or privacy. Google is one of the biggest advertising companies in the world, so it obviously has a vested interest in knowing what you’re up to.

I have no reason to believe that Google is actually doing anything illicit here, but you shouldn’t take the risk if you fundamentally distrust the company. In any case, even SSL isn’t immune from exploitation, so opening up yet another vector for government agencies and other ne’er-do-wells to get into your computer is inherently risky. If you’re a political dissident or a whistle blower, you should probably pass on this app completely.

Tagged In

Where is the performance results, or any kind of benchmark, or a simple “it works pretty well/badly”? I also find that the article seems more like a veiled hit job on Google than an article on the new functionality. Of the 5 paragraphs in the article, only 3 of them are spent talking about the new functionality; 2 of them are spent questioning Google’s motives and whether or not they are spying on us. Yes, we all have good reason to question any of the major internet companies, Google included, but if you want to write a screed, write it and don’t hide it. Especially under an article that purports to give the reader some insight into a new app/feature/function.

Darren Reid

Agreed, Google is one of the best technology companies out there at the moment. Everything they do is motivated by whether or not it’s a good product, making money comes later. Without them we would be stuck with the monopoly that is Apple and who know’s what other crappy alternatives.

indio

I read almost entirely through your post before realizing you weren’t being at all sarcastic………

Darren Reid

I don’t understand what’s particularly wrong with google? Is it just because they are a large company? Most of the products they release are incredibly unique and imaginative. From Earth to maps to streetview to chrome to youtube to glass to fiber. What other company would ever think to launch any of those products? None. Google’s main focus is to make good technology. if it breaks even for it’s entire existence but is widely used, thats a success in googles books. There is no competitor operating with as good an ethos as that.

Michael K

I used the desktop version for a while, and immediately downloaded the app. Even on my slow DSL, there was almost no lag. I really love it. Only thing is it is not clear how to scroll without manually cicing the arrows in the scroll bar.

bob Johnson

I have been testing for an hour or so. Over wifi, it’s great. over 3G it seems to be pretty smooth i will love this for work and play.

Bob Paige

I like it better than TeamViewer, except for the following misses:
1. scrolling
Supposedly you can scroll a screen with a two-finger swipe. It seems to only work half the time, and even then it only moves a little bit. TeamViewer scrolls wonderfully here.
2. mouse support
I can plug a usb mouse into my tablet and it works for all tablet apps. BUT it doesn’t work for this (or TeamViewer). Very annoying.

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